Dave,
Yes it takes practice, practice, and more practice. You are reteaching your brain. Although it seems like it is taking forever, it's probably not in all reality. My daughter had a recorder in elementary school, which eventually headed her into playing the violin (she's in her 6th year). Pre she tried to teach ME lol - I'm not musically inclined outside of listening/enjoying. As a matter of fact, my parents BEGGED me to stop playing the clarinet in elementary school.